Chapter Four

Elara’s POV:

“Wake up, Ely.” The faint sound of someone calling out to me stirred me.

Who is calling me? I wondered, genuinely confused. My mind felt clouded, like I was stuck between two worlds.

A sharp tap on my shoulder jolted me, followed by a louder yell. “Girl, seriously!”

“Elara Jordan Jules, wake up this instant!”

My eyes flew open, and I shot up, panting as though I had run a marathon. Blinking rapidly, I looked around, my heart racing. 

Before me stood my father, Gideon Jules, my mother, Winifred Jules, and Sabrina Duke, my mother’s best friend’s daughter.

I froze. 

What’s this? What’s going on? Was it all a dream? Tears welled up in my eyes as I slid out of bed, unable to contain myself. 

I ran to my mother, wrapping my arms tightly around her. “Mom, I’ve missed you so much.” I whispered, my voice breaking.

Then I turned to my father and hugged him just as tight. “Why did you both leave me?”

My father chuckled, patting my back gently. “Are you this happy about turning 18? You must be excited about your grand birthday party later tonight. I guess that’s why.”

Turning 18? Birthday party? My mind raced.

“What are you saying, Dad?”

“We should be asking you that, Elara.” Sabrina chimed in, narrowing her eyes at me. “Why are you acting so weird? Last night, you couldn’t stop talking about your birthday party. Now you’re pretending you don’t understand what’s happening. Are you sick? Do you need a doctor?” She leaned closer, placing her hand on my forehead to check my temperature.

I flinched and stepped back. 

Is this the afterlife?

For a moment, I wondered if I had truly crossed over. Maybe this was my second chance, some divine gift that allowed me to see my parents again, to speak with them one last time before moving on.

But then, ehy is Sabrina here?

She wasn’t supposed to be in the afterlife, was she? Sabrina was alive—she was there the whole time, wasn't she? 

This doesn't seem like the afterlife. And if all that just happened wasn’t a dream, then there could only be one explanation. 

I was reborn.

I was back, four years ago, on the day of my 18th birthday. The day I first shifted. Three days before my parents’ death.

This was my second chance. A second chance to rewrite my fate. To reject Damien before he became the Alpha King and find someone else—someone worthy of my love.

But I needed to act normal. How? How was I supposed to pretend everything was fine when I’d just experienced death and was suddenly thrust back into my past?

“Sabrina, I think you should stay with her.” My mother suggested, turning to my father. “Gideon and I need to supervise things downstairs.”

As they began to leave, I blurted out, “I love you, Mom. I love you, Dad.”

They both paused and turned back, surprised. “Did you have a nightmare?” My mother asked, genuinely concerned.

I nodded, my throat tightening. “I lost you both.”

“It’s just a dream, dear.” She kissed my forehead gently before walking away with my father.

As soon as they left, Sabrina turned to me. “So... what’s going on with you? You’re acting so strange today. Did something happen?”

“I... I need to take a bath.” I mumbled quickly, avoiding her gaze. Without waiting for a response, I rushed into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. 

Sliding to the ground, I buried my face in my hands and cried bitterly.

Three days from now, I will get the call that my parents were found dead.

How did they die? What did the police say was the cause? My mind raced, trying to recall the details.

The police dismissed it as an accident, but something about it had never sat right with me.

Even now, the memory was hazy. Their car had no scratches—no sign of a crash. But why couldn’t I remember anything else?

Think, Elara. Think. What happened four years ago?

Evening came quickly, and my mother helped me get dressed for my 18th birthday. I slipped into a stunning deep midnight blue gown. It clung to my figure in all the right places, with a silver embroidery tracing the neckline like moonlight on water.

As my mother escorted me down the stairs to the sitting room—now transformed into a grand hall for the party—claps erupted. 

My heart pounded as the MC announced my arrival.

I was then led outside, under the full moon, for the ritual that would mark my first shift.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and surrendered to the Moon Goddess. I felt my Wolf stir, awakening fully for the first time. My body trembled as my bones shifted and reformed. 

Silver fur sprouted, and my senses sharpened. When I opened my eyes, the world looked entirely different.

Cheers erupted from the crowd as I howled, running in the freedom of my new form. For a brief moment, I forgot my pain.

A towel was draped over me as I shifted back, and Sabrina escorted me to my room to change into my second dress for the night—a flowing, cream-coloured gown that accentuated my curves.

“I want to introduce you to my brother, Caspian.” Sabrina said as she helped me zip up. “He’s back from England with his best friend. They arrived yesterday.”

How could I forget? Damien went to Harvard to complete his studies, and Caspian, his future Beta, followed him there as well. At the time, Sabrina was eager to pair me with her brother, but it was Damien, her brother’s best friend, who turned out to be my mate.

Sabrina dragged me back downstairs, through the crowd, until we reached a table. There, Caspian sat with Damien.

“You weren’t here when Caspian arrived, were you?” Sabrina asked Damien.

“Nah, I just got here.” He replied casually, his piercing gaze fixed on me. “I remembered Caspian mentioned a party, so I decided to tag along.”

Before Sabrina could continue, Damien extended his hand toward me. “You must be the birthday girl. I’m Damien.”

I stared at his outstretched hand—the same hand that would one day take my life. Suppressing a scoff, I forced a smile and accepted the handshake.

My wolf stirred restlessly. “I have found my mate.”

Shivers were sent down my spine, and suddenly, a memory surfaced. At my parents’ funeral, I overheard a strange man speaking with my uncle.

“The forensic department found traces of liquid silver in their bodies.” He had said. “But the police warned them not to report it. In the end, the case was closed as an accident.”

This could only mean that my parents were killed—and now I have just three days to uncover the truth.

But why does the strange man from four years ago suddenly look so familiar?

Then it hit me—the strange man looked exactly like Elder Tyler.